No. XXIII.  Mason' Vol 2

PARISH OF

S E A G O E,

(Diocese and County of Armagh.)

By Lieut. Colonelblacker, Of The Arm Aghmiliti A.

I. The Name of the Parish, Situation, Extent,

SituaUon. HE parish of Scagoe, situated in the barony of Name. Oneiland east, and county of Armagh, derives its appellation from a family of the name of Smith, (in the Irish tongue Gabha, or as it is pronounced Gabh-wa or Gawa) who, as tradition says, emigrated from a neighbouring district about two centuries back, and settled themselves here, whence the name Sea-gabh was softened or corrupted in Seagoe, signifying literally, "the seat of the Boundaries Smiths." It extends along the great river Bann (which forms its western boundary) for about four miles and s half. On the north it is bounded by the small parish of Mointaglis, formerly a part of itself; on the east h'« the parish of Shankill; and to the south and south-east is the parish of Tullylish in the county of Down. The fantastic windings of its boundaries almost defy mathematical skill to reduce them to any regular figure; but it may be set down, generally speaking, as being about

four miles and a half from north to south, and nearly three from east to west. It is divided into three nianu- Sub-dmri&l districts, viz. Carrowbrack, Kerdnan, and Derry, ons> or, as it is called from the proprietor, Brownlow's Derry. These manors are again subdivided into ballybocs or townlands, enumerated in the appendix, amounting in all to about 8000 acres.

The soil is in general fertile and productive. The Sail face of the country is a gentle undulation of hill and dale, not marked by any considerable eminence. From one hill called Drumclogher, or the Stoney Back, there is a full view of nearly the entire parish; it is the alarm post of the yeomanry of the parish, having a flag staff erected on its summit, on which a standard can be hoisted to call them together in case of emergency. The Climate, climate we must pronounce good, although it has been ascertained of late years by medical men, that during the winter month* there arises from the marshy and flooded grounds adjoining the Bann, a damp exhalation, highly prejudicial in pulmonary cases. Many respected individuals have fallen victims to this fatal vapour; while it must be acknowledged, on the other hand, that numbers have arrived at a very advanced age within the full range of its noxious influence.

The beauty of the fine river Bann, winding majesti- River, cally through this lovely plain, cannot be surpassed. It is navigable for sloops of 60 tons, numbers of which are constantly seen on its bosom, conveying to distant countries the produce of its shores. There is no other river of name, nor any lake or standing water in the parish;

though its north-east corner rests in a trifling degree Bog. on the great lake of Lough Neagh. There are tome patches of turf bog in different parts of the parish, and the northern extremity runs into the great tract of turbary, which will be more particularly mentioned in the account of the Mointaglis parish, to which it gives name.

Fl«nu- There are no woods in the parish. On the demesne

of Carrick there are some very fine old oaks, which have braved the storms for upwards of 1 iO years; and also some well grown beech and ash. Mr. William Robinson and Mr. Woolsey Atkinson have laid out some young plantations with considerable taste, though not on an extensive scale; they appear to be thriving, and are taken good care of.

II. Mines, Minerals, $c.

The mineralogy of this parish affords nothing worthy Limestone of remark. There is a limestone quarry in the townland of Balteagh and Kilfergan; and the townland of Killycomain produces building stone of a superior description; it is a hard blue stone, which, from the manner in which it comes out of the quarry, requires but litGnrel. tie of the hammer to square it for the mason. The hill of Drumlin in the southern corner of the parish is remarkable for the superior quality of the gravel it produces, affording the finest material for roads, walks, &c. as it speedily binds, and has little or no admixture of clay.

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III. Modern Buildings, fyc,

A new parish church is in progress, the old one having Chureh. been found too small. A small chapel for the Roman Catholic parishioners has also been commenced. There is no town in the parish, though from the rapid increase of buildings on the Seagoe side of Poitadown bridge, that town may be shortly said to extend into it. The fine bridge just mentioned, stands in this parish; the small bridge of two arches which is to be met with on the causeway leading to the town, being the division of the parishes and baronies. The old bridge having been swept away in the year 1754, and it being difficult to get a proper foundation in the old channel of the river 1'ann, a new one was cut parallel to it, the present bridge built, and the water turned into the present channel. It consists of seven large arches, turned with cut stone; the centre or main arch being sufficiently wide to admit the passage of the sloops which trade on the river.

The only gentlemen's seats are, Carrick, the seat of Gentl*. Dean Blacker, a large edifice, originally built in 1692, men'»SoM»as appears by a date on a stone in the wall, but much improved since that period. It still retains many of those fantastic appendages, which pleased the eyes of our forefathers, however unnecessary or ridiculous they appear to the Cognoscenti of the present day. Silverwood House, the seat of Mr. Cuppage, is a neat brick edifice; and the glebe-house adjoining the church, a commodious residence, was built about 60 years ago, and since improved.

Bm&. Two great leading roads pass through this parish,

viz. the road from Armagh to Belfast, and that from Portadown to Banbridge; to which may be added, a new line made within the last twenty years, leading to Waringstown, Dromore, and the county of Down in general. There are several lines of minor importance, though all rendered very necessary by the population and trade of the country. The roads are generally good, though it is by no means easy to keep them so, from the immense numbers of narrow-wheeled cars

Houses, which are constantly traversing them. The farm houses exhibit much appearance of comfort; those on Car rick estate are remarkable for their neatness and comfort; but in many places are to be seen cabins of the most miserable description; the numbers of the latter is how

SetMiy. ever, happily Oh the decrease. The scenery in summer is rich and varied: the prospects from the rising grounds, of the Bann, Lough Ncagh, Mourne Mountains, &c. are strikingly beautiful.

IV. Ancient Buildings, fyc.

The only ancient building is the church, which is now more than half buried in the graves with which it it surrounded. The pews and pulpit are of old black oak, of curious workmanship; the latter exhibits a date on the front of 1666. Within the last three years an exhibition of taste took place here, which should be handed down to posterity.—This fine old black pulpit and reading desk were—" risum teneatis," actually painted a muddy yellow. There remain two of the old circular ruths, one at Lisnisky, the other at Lisnnmcntry.

'. Present # Former Slate of Population, Food, Fuel, $c.

The population of this parish has been ascertained by Population ic late returns to exceed 5000 souls, 9-10ths of whom Employre concerned more or less in the linen manufacture ; ment' le children of both sexes being initiated into the work t a very early age. The food of the lower class is oat- Food. leal, milk, and potatoes, with salted herrings occasionlly. The farmers use much animal food, particularly aeon, and some poultry. The fuel is turf, which is cut nd saved in the months of July and August. Great uantitics of this useful article are conveyed up the river tann, from the extensive bogs in its neighbourhood; ii • bogs in this parish being totally inadequate to the upply of the inhabitants.

The appearance of the people indicates a high degree f civilization. On Sundays and at fairs their dress is emarkably neat and cleanly; their habits in general are illustrious: they are loyal, peaceable, and, generally peaking, religious.

Some years ago, when the North of Ireland was dis- His arbed by those deluded wretches called Hearts of Oak, Anecdolcin! Hearts of Steel, this parish came in for its share of he contagion. Their meetings took place at a cross oads called from a large rock on the spot, "The Blue tone." A dreadful murder was committed near this pot in the year 1781, and the perpetrators being rought here for execution, their bodies were thrown ito a hole by the side of the rock, which was heaved pon the top of them: some days afterwards, their riends having shewn a disposition to take up the bodie?,

a spirited magistrate repaired to the spot, where they had actually commenced operations: he then had die remains dug out, and having burned them, swept the ashes into the hole; burying the rock with them below the surface of the road, where it has lain undislnrbedto this day.

Cuitomt. From this period the morality and general good conduct of the people appear to have been progressive. It is but a short time ago since they were much addicted to the barbarous custom of cock-fighting, (than which nothing is more pregnant with mischief to the individual and the community); and this they are fast laying aside. The law for preventing riotous assemblies, which these meetings always are, has been exerted once or twice, and explained to the people with the best effects; and there is every reason to hope that this inhuman pastiir.t will in a very short time be unknown.

General ap- As to personal appearance, the females are generally handsome; their occupation, (spinning) by confining them much within doors, contributes to render them more delicately fair than the women of other districts. The men are stout and of a good appearance. The yeomanry battalion of the parish is as fine a body of men as can be seen; it consists of 320, and has long been remarkable for its appearance, steadiness, and discipline. The growth of the men must however recein a considerable check from the early period of life it which they are placed on, and obliged to bend over die loom: it is surprising that complaints in the chest are not more frequent from this practice; it may be accounted for, however, by their time being pretty equalh divided between the loom and the cultivation of their little gardens or farms; and it has been decided, that there is something in the smell of earth newly turned up highly salubrious to the lungs. The instances of Longevity. extraordinary longevity are few, not more than two or three having exceeded 100 years: in the parish register there appear the names of a good many who have passed SO. Mr. Isaac Clayton, who died last year, had served the office of parish clerk for 60 years and upwards, under five different incumbents.

VI. The Genius # Disposition of the Poorer Classes, fyc,

Of the genius and disposition of the inhabitants, tuf- Genius and ficieiu has been said in the preceding section: they are civil to strangers, but shrewd and observant The language is entirely English, being equally free from the Scotch accent of their neighbours in the county of Down, and the broad brogue of those in the county of Louth and southern parts of the county. There is at the same time a particular intonation peculiar to a northern Irishman, which distinguishes him in every part of the habitable globe, and which he never loses, let him change his residence and his society as often as he may: place him for years amid the Bramins of India, the Catabaws of America; let him associate with either German, Jew, or Gentile, still it adheres to him as fresh as in the hour he left his native hills.

The manners and customs of this parish appear to be derived in a certain degree from the English, but more from the Scotch, as is the case throughout the north of Ireland j there being little, if any, remnants of the old

Genius and Irish habits. The people are inclined to drinking, wpooiion tjjough not to a great excess: they are becoming more fond of ale than formerly; and there is a great consumption of that wholesome beverage spruce beer. They delight in dancing, and have frequent meetings for die purpose; but hunting seems to be their favourite amusement: the moment the cry of the hounds is heard, every thing else is deserted and forgotten; the labourer drops his spade: the weaver rushes from his loom, seldom waiting for coat or hat; away run the motley multitude, bounding over hill and dale in the plenitude of wild delight, with an activity almost incredible; yet they rarely fail to make up by redoubled exertions for any time lost on an indulgence of this nature. They are grateful for favours, and though, like the rest of their countrymen, quick to resent insult or wrong, they cannot be considered as addicted to revenge.

Custom* The festivals of Easter and Christmas arc religiously observed; but the great holyday is the 1st of July, old style, being the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne. A procession takes place; the whole population wear orange lillies; and the day is spent in festivity. Various and incessant have been the efforts made by disaffected and designing persons of late years, to persuade the Roman Catholic part of the population of the country, that these festivities, (of a century's duration) are intended as an insult to them and their religion; and in some places these misguided people have been seduced into acts of outrage, which have rendered them obnoxious to the laws of their country. This idea of intentional insult on the part of the Protestants, has been so often,(so variously, and so ably refuted, that it is need


less to reiterate here the arguments made use of on the Customs. subject. The cool dispassionate man of sense requires no arguments to convince him of the absurdity, as well as falsehood of such a supposition; and the captious agitator would not be reasoned into a renunciation of the opinion he holds on the occasion, however erroneous; no, not by "Moses or the prophets, or by one risen from the dead."

Allhallow, or Holy Eve, was formerly observed here as in Scotland; and indeed is still kept up in a certain degree; but the celebration is confined chiefly to the junior classes, who play a few harmless tricks on the occasion: servants and labourers are regaled with tea, punch and apples; but upon the whole, this festival is hi the wane.

VII. The Education and Employment of Children, $c.

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There are several schools in this parish, and all much School*. frequented. They are upon the old plan; the new light of Bell or Lancaster not having shone here as yet. There are two Sunday schools held during the summer, Sundayone in the parochial school-house at the church, and the other in the Methodist meeting-house at the Blue Stone. In the latter from two to three hundred children are instructed in the rudiments of learning, by a number of the religiously disposed inhabitants of the neighbourhood, of both sexes; but the early period of life at which the children are usefully employed in the linen manufacture must naturally interfere with their attendance at schools. Learning however must be con

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sidered on the increase, and from the exertions of the curate (Mr. Olpherts) and other respectable persons, is likely to continue so.

VIII. State of Religious Establishment, tythes, $c.

To the exertions of one individual, now no more, (whose name is never mentioned without respect, and to whose memory the tribute of many a tear is still paid) may be distinctly attributed the flourishing state of the religious establishment in this parish: ardent, firm and zealous in the discharge of his duties; and, above all, practising as he preached, his labours in the vineyard of God were eminently successful. Annexed is the epitaph which appears on a tablet erected to his memo* iy in the parish church.* He has been succeeded in the vicarage by his brother; who, most fortunately for the interests of religion, has appointed to the curacy the Rev. Richard Olpherts, a young gentleman whose exertions render him an honour to his profession; and who alone could have reconciled the parish to the loss sustained by them in the decease of their late vk-.ir. After this it is needless to say that the church is crouded; so much so, that a new one has been just commenced, as was before stated, of dimensions more suited to the congregation.

Advowson. This parish is a rectory and vicarage m the diocese of Dromore, the archdeacon having the rectorial tythes -. it is in the gift of the bishop. The tythes (if tythes they can be called) arc moderate; the landholders

See Appendix, No. ?.

paying bnt 9d. per acre for all in their possession. Glebe. There is a large glebe, consisting of two townlands, (Lower Seagoe and Kilverpan) which is in the possession of the vicar, whose income may be stated at £500. per annum. One Roman Catholic priest serves this and the adjoining parish of Mointaglis. There is no Presbyterian meeting house; those of that communion attending worship in the neighbouring town of Lurgan; but many of them frequent the parish church. There are a few quakers, whose place of meeting is also in Lurgan. The mcthodists have a Methodist meeting house at the Blue Stone, but they frequent the H^"s church, particularly on sacramental occasions. There is no parochial fund, unless we may except the weekly collection for the poor in the church; this varies from 7 to 15 shillings upon ordinary occasions; on festivals it rises to much more, and is distributed quarterly. The Parochial only records are the usual registry of deaths, births and Recordt< marriages, and the vestry proceedings. The general assessment by vestry for parochial purposes, is 2d. or 3d. per acre.

IX- Modes qf Agriculture, Crops, Sgc.

Farming is not practised here to any extent, or with Mode of much attention to system. The smallness of the farms forbids the one, and the linen manufacture withdraws the mind from the other: this however is to be understood generally : there are some specimens of farming, particularly on the Carrick estate, which must rank very high for neatness, judgment and produce. Formerly, a little oats, potatoes and flax for home consumption, were all that occupied the attention of the generality of the landholders; but the gradual rise on lands,

and the establishment of a grain market in Portadown, have contributed to the cultivation of much wheat and barley, which sometimes appear in plots so small as half an acre, or even less. Flax crops are less frequent than formerly, the manufacturers being supplied with much Onions. yarn from Tyrone and Deny. Onions are cultivated to a considerable extent, and are a very profitable crop. One man in particular has been known to pay the rent of ten or twelve acres, by the produce of a rood of onions. They require much attention as to weeding, thinning, &c.

Soil The greater proportion of the land is arable; but

there is an extensive tract of low ground along the river side, used exclusively for meadow and pasture. This plain is inundated by the rising of the river about Christmas; and about March the waters begin to subside, •leaving behind them a light deposit of mud, which, enriching the soil, causes a yearly spring of nutritious (though in some cases coarse) herbage. In some places this is kept for meadow; in others cattle are taken in to graze during the summer and autumn months, the usual sum demanded being from one to two guineas, accord? ing to the age of the beast.

Planting. The fields are small, few exceeding eight or ten acres, and the generality much under that number: they are divided by ditches, planted for the most part with white thorn. Some years ago there was a great deal of hedgerow timber; but it has disappeared, and, except on the Cai-rick estate, little care has been taken to renew it. On that ostate Colonel Blacker has of late years pursned and encouraged a system of pruning and dressing up hedge-row timber, which promises much for the future ornament and advantage of the country.

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The stock of entile is limited to the cows kept by in- Stock, dividual* for milk, &c. and a few sheep, for private or home consumption, kept on Carrick demesne or the glebe. Pigs constitute the stock of the common people, the poorest having at least one of these animals. Before the termination of the war they brought an immense price, and assisted materially in paying the rents; the port of Belfast, 20 miles distant, affording a market for them. Since the peace they have fallen to one third of their former value, which is severely felt by all classes.

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The chief proprietors are Lord Dungannon, Messrs. Proprietors, Brownlow, Blacker, Cope, Sparrow, Robinson, and a few others, who have small portions scattered through the parish. The price of land varies from 20s. to 50s. Rent of the English acre: a guinea and a half may be considered a fair general value. Labourers' wages are low, being from lOd. to Is. Id.; but they are much higher in harvest. There are no fairs or markets in this parish. The implements of labour are of the common impudescription. A few improved Scotch ploughs have come ment8into use; but the old clumsy native still holds its place in general. Carts are beginning to supersede the old car. There is a good cart-maker from Scotland lately settled here, who has constant employment.

X. Trade, Mamtfactures, Commerce, Navigation, $c,

Little is to be detailed under tiiishead respecting the parish of Seagoe. The trade is confined to tbe pro- Trade.


Trade. duceof the land, the corn of different kinds, which carried into Portadown for sale, and a trifling quantity of butter, which finds a market in the same place, The only manufacture is that of linen, which it is needless to dwell upon. Mr. Overend of Edenderry, exports a good deal of grain, and imports coals, salt, &c. from the seaport of Newry, by the canal which cornin uriicntes net ween that town -and the river Bann. Mr. Woolsey Atkinson, though resident in the town of Portadown, has stores, &c. at the Seagoe side of the river, and contributes largely to the improvement of tht country by building, planting, &c. in which heefinca much taste and judgment.

« XI. Natural Curiosities, Remarkable Occurrences, <$(.

The naturalist will find but little food for speculation in this parish; nor can the historian swell his pag« Military murh from our annalb. A few years ago, three swords iim anj a &poar Of Cast brass were found in a little mores adjoining Carrick demesne, where tradition says a battk li.id been fought about the year 380, between two chieftains and their septs, whose names are lost, but it is sad one of them was called Ailagh or Ail, probably a collection of the O'Nail or O'Nial family, possessors^ kings of these districts in days of yore. They are V in the possession of^ Colonel Blacker, and are curiofc and elegant remains of antiquity.*

* Something might here be said of pcarb found in the river Bum! b* «t Harris in his Survey of the county of Down lias dwelt largely on & subject, it i« ncedJess to do more than refer the reader to his eruJit*"11^ The writer of this article has opened without success many thousunb rf the shell fish in which they are to be found; but some have been f*^ within the last twenty years. The shell fish is railed here ' Sliggsn;' it is of a species between an oyster and a muscle; the shell dark brown and thin. The fish inclines to the taste of the muscle, but is very insipid, and not used as an article of food.

The dreadful massacre of the protestants at Porta- K v-ir'.cal down-bridge, in the year 1641, may perhaps be menii-"' oned in the annals of this parish; the river dividing it from Drumcree at the spot, rendered memorably infamous by the bloody transactions of that day.

Of eminent men this parish has none to boast, unless the character heretofore mentioned may be exempted,— the late vicar of this parish, whose piety, charity, and private worth rendered him truly eminent to all around him; he shone as usefully bright in that limited orbit which was assigned to him, as those more dazzling luminaries which have blazed in the regions of science or of glory, under the names of a Newton or a Wellington.

List of incumbents, extracted from the First Fruits' •records:

Johes. Jones, admiss. fuit, 17° die Aug. 1629, rector, de Seigoe, in com. Armagh. Non taxat,

Johes. Campbell, collat. fuit 4° die Octobr. 1687, ad vicar, de Seagoe.

Rev. George House, clerk, collated 30th of Nov. 1742, to the archdeaconry of Drombre, rectory and vicarage of Donoghcloney, rectory of Seagoe, and rectory of Magherawly.

Hugh Tisdall, vicar of Sego, 22 Oct. 1748. n. t.

Richard Buckly, V. Scgo, 14 June, 1763, Down, n. t.

Conway Benning, rector of Donoghcloney, vicar of Donoghclony, rector of Segoe, R. Magherawly, £lO.

George Blacker, collated 1 June, 1796, vicar of Segoe, Armagh, £4.

XIL Suggestions for Improvement, and Means for meliorating the Condition of the People.

As to hints for the general improvement of the people, it may suffice to state, that of the many plans laid down, there is hardly one for the exercise of which objects might not be found here; while at the same time there is no degree of comfort or improvement attained any where else in the United Kingdom, to which this parish cannot furnish a parallel.

APPENDIX.

No. 1.

TOWNLANDS, &C. Ill SEAGOE.
CARROWBRACK, Conuing 2620 Acres.

Name of Tm-nlands. Proprietor*,

1 Ballydonagby Mr. Cope.

J. Ballyhannon, .... Mr. Blacker.

3 Ballynaghy, ..... Ditto.

4 Ballymacrandle, . . . Ditto.

5 Ballygargin, . . • ; . Mr. Cope.

6 Breagb, ...... Mr. Blacker.

7 Carrick, Ditto.

8 Derryvore, Mr. Did -in, under Mr. Cop-,

9 Urumnacanvey. ... . Mr. Blacker.

10 Dnimlisnagrilly, . . . Ditto.

11 Edendcrry Mr. Howard.

13 Hacknabay, ...... Mr. Cope.

CARROWBRACK Coiramran.
IfameffTownlandi. Proprietori.

13 Knock, ....... Mr. Sparrow.

14 Knocklamuckly Mr. Fury and other*,

15 Killycomain, Mr. Fivey.

16 Levaghry. . : . . . Mr. Robinson.

K K I! UN AN, Containing 3508 Acr»

J 7 Ballynacor, Mr. Sparrow.

18 Balteagb Ditto.

19 Clanroll Ditto.

tO Crossmacahely, . , . Ditto.

21 Drumnagoon, .... Ditto.

22 Drumgor, Mr Richardus.

23 Drumgask, Lord Dnngannon.

24 Knockmena, . . ; . Mr. Sparrow.

35 Kara, Miss Duncan.

36 Lisnanuntiy, .... Mr. Sparrow.

27 Lisnesskey, • . . . . Ditto.

28 Lylo, ...... Mr. Robinson.

29 Tarson, . . . ' . . . Mr. Sparrow.

30 Tamnifaglassen, . . . Ditto. 51 Tamnifacurbet, . . . Ditto.

32 Seagoe, (Upper,) . . . Ditto.

33 Seagoe, (Lower) . , . Vicar of Seagoe.

34 Bocombra, . . . . , Mr. Richardson.

35 Montraverty, . . . . Lord Dungannon.

36 Kerdnao Mr. Moore, under Mr. Sparrow.

DERRT, Containing 2418 Acres.

37 Aghacommon Mr. Brownlow.

38 Analorst, Mr. Burgess.

39 Boconnel), Mr. Brownlow.

40 Ballynamona, .... Ditto.

•11 Drumnakelly, . . . I Ditto. ,

42 Kinigo, Ditto.

43 Knockramcr, .... Ditto.

44 Kilrergan, Vicar of Seagoe.

45 SUvcrwovil, Mr. Fulton, under Mr. JBrownl«w.
[merged small][graphic][merged small]

A wann Friend — A sincere Christian:

An e«emp!ary Clergyman:

Who illustrated by bisactioni the Gospel which he delivered.

He lived beloved, and iliwl deeply lamented;

May 1st, iv 10. — Aged 46 yean.

"AH ISKAXLITK WITHOUT CHILI,.'' .

No 3.

Inscription Placed Un o..n The First Stoke Of The New Church Of Seagoe.

"Beit remembered, that at a time when the dearest interests of Christianity were at stake; when in countries erevbile Christian, the temple of the v.-i High was i-nUrscl only in prufanation. «uii the name of God invoked but in blasphemy—amidst the wildest raging* of foreign war and domestic treason—amid the anarchy of the world—even then did the parishioners of Stagoc, (' a people zealous rf good works,* much inched thereto by their pious and beloved vicar, Gzoncr Blacker, now, abm, no more} resolve to erect a ntw church, more suited to the dignity of their Cod, and better calculated to accommodate the increasing numbers of his worshippers. In furtherance of which, after many delays incidental to such an undertaking, the first stone of the intended edifice wis laid on the 1st day of June, 1814, in the Mth year of the rcigh of George 111. The Right Rev. John Leslie, bishop of Dromore,- the Rev, Stewart Blacker, vicar of the parish; the Rev. Richard Olphcrts, curate; John Overeod and William Gilpeo, churchwardens-—J. Erownlee, architect,